Poems (Larcom)/Better
BETTER.
THAT haunting dream of Better, Forever at our side! It tints the far horizon, It sparkles on the tide. The cradle of the Present Too narrow is for rest: The feet of the Immortal Leap forth to seek the Best.
O beauty, trailing sadness! Despair, hope's loftiest birth! With tears and aspirations Have ye bedewed the earth. The opening buds of April Untimely frost may chill; The soul of sweet October Faints out in mystery still.
What buriest thou, gay childhood? Swift youth, what fled with thee? Laugh'st at our losses, Sorrow, As in some godlike glee? Away, away forever Our vessels seem to sail: The Eternal Breath o'ertakes them; Home speeds them every gale.
The filmy gold and purple Swathed not the hills we trod: 'Twas hard and common climbing, The bramble and the clod. The bitterness we tasted Was Truth's most wholesome leaven: The friends that left us lonely Are opening doors in heaven.
And now the deeper midnight Uncovers larger stars; And grafts of glory bourgeon From earthly blights and scars. And now the mists are lifting— The tides are rushing in—'T is sunrise on the mountains!— Lo! life is yet to win!